Alternative Names

Causes

The mitral valve helps blood on the left side of the heart flow in one direction. It closes to keep blood from moving backwards when the heart beats (contracts).

Mitral valve prolapse is the term used when the valve does not close properly. It can be caused by many different things.

In most cases, it is harmless. The problem generally does not affect health and most people with the condition are not aware of it. In a small number of cases, the prolapse can cause blood to leak backwards. This is called mitral regurgitation.

Mitral valve prolapse often affects thin women who may have minor chest wall deformities, scoliosis, or other disorders. Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be passed down through families (inherited).

Mitral valve prolapse is also seen with some connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome and other rare genetic disorders.

Symptoms

Many people with mitral valve prolapse DO NOT have symptoms. The group of symptoms found in people with mitral valve prolapse is called "mitral valve prolapse syndrome," and includes:

When mitral regurgitation occurs, symptoms may be related to this leaking.

Exams and Tests

The doctor will perform a physical exam and use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and lungs. The provider may feel a thrill (vibration) over the heart, and hear a heart murmur (midsystolic click). The murmur gets longer and louder when you stand up.

Blood pressure is most often normal.

Echocardiogram is the most common test used to diagnose mitral valve prolapse. The following tests may also be used to diagnose mitral valve prolapse or a leaky mitral valve or complications from those conditions:

Cardiac catheterization

Chest x-ray

CT scan of the chest

ECG (may show arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation)

MRI of the heart

Treatment

Most of the time, there are few or no symptoms and treatment is not needed.

In the past, most people with heart valve problems were given antibiotics before dental work or procedures such as colonoscopy to prevent an infection in the heart. However, antibiotics are now used much less often. Check with your health care provider to see if you need antibiotics.

There are many heart medicines that may be used to control this condition. You may need surgery to repair or replace your mitral valve if it becomes very leaky (regurgitation), and if the leakiness also causes symptoms. However, this may not occur. You may need mitral valve repair or replacement if:

Your symptoms get worse.

The left ventricle of your heart is enlarged.

Your heart function gets worse.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most of the time, mitral valve prolapse is harmless and does not cause symptoms. Symptoms that do occur can be treated and controlled with medicine or surgery.

Some abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) in people with mitral valve prolapse can be life threatening. If the valve leakage becomes severe, your outlook may be similar to that of people who have mitral regurgitation from any other cause.